A friend of mine who is a Calvinist made a good point that I have yet to give a solid rebuttal to. As Protestants we hold that Christ did it all for our salvation and there is nothing we can do to earn it. If this statement is true then it follow that if we choose Christ we have done something to earn our salvation. Luk_18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
What did this guy do to earn salvation???
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Calling on the Lord's name to ask for forgiveness is 'earning it'???
Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved
Is believing on Jesus Christ earning salvation???
For the Calvinist it is not as much earning your salvation as it is that a person choosing God goes against the concept of Total Depravity. If a person is truly in a state of sin, then the Calvinist would say God cannot dwell inside of him or convict his spirit. If a person chooses God it is because of the concept of Unconditional Election. God chooses who are to be saved based on his own reasons and nothing we do.
I myself am neither a Calvinist nor a Arminianist. I have yet to form a solid theology on this idea.